Rabbi Ishmael ben Elisha’s Mystical Encounter with Akatriel in the Holy of Holies: A Lesson for the Generation of the Holocaust

Said Rabbi Ishmael ben Elisha: One time I entered to offer incense in the inner sanctum, and I saw Akatriel, Yah, Adonai Tseva’ot sitting upon an exalted throne, and He said to me, “Ishmael, my son, bless me.”

I said to Him:
“May it be Your will that Your compassion conquer Your wrath;
and Your compassion override Your inclinations;
and You behave towards Your children with the attribute of compassion;
and You go beyond the letter of the law for them.”

And He nodded to me with His head. (Rashi: As if to answer “Amen.”)

This teaches us that the blessing of a commoner must not be insignificant in your eyes.

Talmud Bavli, Berakhot 7a

Can you imagine? The deity asks man for a blessing. How does one bless the deity?
This vision of Rabbi Ishmael Ben Elisha occurred when he entered the inner sanctum to offer the incense. That inner sanctum was the chimney of the crematorium at Auschwitz from which a pillar of smoke billowed up.
Katriel (661) was Esther (661).
It was the time of the Eclipse of God. “Ve-Anokhi haster astir panai ba-yom ha-hu.” “And I shall surely hide My face on that day” (Deuteronomy 31:18).
And the Ba’al Shem Tov taught: “Even the fact that I am hidden [and lying in waiting] I shall hide on that day.”
So the deity could certainly use a blessing. “Ishmael, my son, bless me.”

About Orot

Orot, Inc. was founded in 1990 by Rabbi Bezalel Naor to disseminate the teachings of Rabbi Abraham Isaac Hakohen Kook (1865-1935), first Ashkenazic Chief Rabbi of Erets Israel. Rav Kook is considered one of the greatest Jewish thinkers and mystics of all time.

About Orot

Orot, Inc. was founded in 1990 by Rabbi Bezalel Naor to disseminate the teachings of Rabbi Abraham Isaac Hakohen Kook (1865-1935), first Ashkenazic Chief Rabbi of Erets Israel. Rav Kook is considered one of the greatest Jewish thinkers and mystics of all time.